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Boley WW lathe - what else do I need?

pent
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pent Watch Enthusiast

pent

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Posted (edited)

Hi all,

Just took delivery on a vintage Boley WW.  Motor is good, need to remount it on a better surface, but otherwise looks true and seems to work well.  Motor runs strong with foot pedal.  I know I need to WD-40 some of it since it's a little stiff, and probably have to take more of it apart for a good lubrication.  It came with matching tailstock, what I think is an index plate on the head, graver rest and a bunch of collets (all picutred).  I got a good deal because the seller packed it horribly and broke the base and acrylic holder, so I got a decent partial refund.  I have attached pictures below and I know I'll probably need a 3-jaw chuck and face plate, but what else?

It came with about 52 of the fixed size collets (at top in picture), 2 of the large open collets (not sure what they are called), one center punch, and 5 of the disc collets (far right).  I also assume the bottom item is a graver, although I will likely be ordering some new ones of different sizes/angles.

So what do all you lathe experts think?  Anything else I will need to start learning?  For the money, this seemed like a good starter point as far as equipment goes.

 

 

 

 

 

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Edited by pent
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Klassiker Distinguished Member

Klassiker

Posted
Posted

You have most things you need to begin practising and turning simple parts free-hand. If you want to make winding stems, you will need a filing rest to file the square. That is a centre, not a punch.

The first thing would be to strip it, clean it and lubricate the bearings. You will need to keep adding a little fresh oil at frequent intervals, so get a supply before you start. Get some good lighting, magnification and measuring equipment too.

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Jon Super WRT Addict

Jon

Posted
Posted

I use airline oil which is ISO 22 for my lathe and also for my oil stones and pretty much everything in between.

What you have there is exactly the same. Maybe cost a bit more as it is Mobil after all.

Here's a vid I made on disassembling an 8mm lathe headstock which might help. I did an assembly one as well

 

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oldhippy Distinguished Member

oldhippy

Posted
Posted

Well it all depends what you want to do now you have a lathe I suggest you start by getting a complete set of chucks. You can never have to many gravers, I always used an arkansas stone to sharpen them. 

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pent Watch Enthusiast

pent

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Posted
  On 8/2/2023 at 5:40 PM, oldhippy said:

Well it all depends what you want to do now you have a lathe I suggest you start by getting a complete set of chucks. You can never have to many gravers, I always used an arkansas stone to sharpen them. 

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3 and 4 jaw chucks? or chucks for drills? or both?  I'll definitely go graver shopping so I can learn which angles are best for different operations.

  • 2 weeks later...
StickDog Member

StickDog

Posted
Posted

Get Archie Perkins' book Watchmaker's Lathe and How to Use It.  Read the book. Think about what you learn.  Experiment and practice.  In a few weeks of dedicated work you will know a lot more about lathes, how to maintain, and use them.  Seriously.  Do your homework.  You're not going to learn to use this fundamental machine tool by soliciting gratuitous advice on this forum to a few random questions.  My two cents. Best to you.

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pent Watch Enthusiast

pent

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  On 8/15/2023 at 1:07 AM, StickDog said:

Get Archie Perkins' book Watchmaker's Lathe and How to Use It.  Read the book. Think about what you learn.  Experiment and practice.  In a few weeks of dedicated work you will know a lot more about lathes, how to maintain, and use them.  Seriously.  Do your homework.  You're not going to learn to use this fundamental machine tool by soliciting gratuitous advice on this forum to a few random questions.  My two cents. Best to you.

Expand  

Great advice and already done!  I'm studying that and  watchmaker's and model engineer's lathe: A users manual as well.  BTW, T&T&T on youtube is an amazing watchmaker with the lathe so people can see some of the techniques close up.

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